Phoenix weather: Valley of the Sun lives up to its name

PHOENIX -- The Valley of the Sun continues to live up to its name this week as afternoon temperatures warm to the 70s and skies remain clear.

High pressure is in place across Arizona, and this feature is keeping all storm activity out. A warming trend will also be seen throughout the week.

Monday afternoon, Sky Harbor hit a daytime high of 71 at 3:45 p.m.

Tuesday morning, expect a low of around 42 degrees in Phoenix under clear skies. Tuesday afternoon, look for a high of 75.

Locally breezy winds will kick up late Tuesday from the Mogollon Rim southward as the pressure gradient tightens. Some Valley communities may see gusts of up to 20 miles per hour.

Otherwise, expect fair weather to continue through MLK Jr. Day. Afternoon temperatures in Phoenix will peak to 77 degrees Thursday and Friday before high clouds move into the Valley for the weekend. During this time, temperatures drop a few degrees as our ridge flattens out.

As of now, the P.F. Chang's Rock and Roll marathon on Sunday will see temperatures in the 40s during the start of the race, with an afternoon high of 74 under partly cloudy skies.